Listening is an Act of Love
By: Kris Kerlin, Director of Mission Impact
In the midst of the cancer journey, where information inundates you from all directions – be it from your doctors, family, or friends – CanCare volunteers extend the invaluable gift of listening.
Listening enables individuals facing cancer to navigate not only the external barrage of information but also the internal questions, concerns, and emotions.
The ability to hear oneself, be heard by another, and then have one's words reflected back in a compassionate manner can signify the distinction between dwelling in fear and progressing with hope.
The art of listening is something that is central to the training that we provide to our CanCare volunteers because we know that there is healing power in presence and attentive listening. As we listen, we come to know more about the person speaking and their experience of their life.
Though we share the experience of cancer, each unique journey is a sacred path to be heard, honored and embraced. Thank you CanCare volunteers for showing your love through listening! Please download our handout Prove You Heard for more ways to listen.
Click HERE for more tips on listening.
Click HERE to access a poem about listening.
